Umbrella with offset shaft

ABSTRACT

An umbrella includes an umbrella cover and an umbrella frame supported the umbrella cover to form an umbrella body. The umbrella frame further includes a radiated cover frame mounted under the umbrella cover for supporting the umbrella cover thereof, and an offset shaft coupled at the center of the radiated cover frame to support the whole umbrella, wherein the radiated cover frame includes a runner and a plurality of stretchers, wherein the offset shaft comprises a first rigid rod, a second rigid rod, and a third rigid rod are connected together one after another to form the offset shaft that can adjust between a straight shape to an offset shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to umbrella, and more particularly to an umbrella with offset shaft, so that people can stay at the any spot under the umbrella with the offset shaft without any obstruction by the conventional straight umbrella shaft.

2. Description of Related Arts

Umbrella is a common tool for protecting individuals from rain or sun. As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional umbrella 10 usually comprises an umbrella frame 200 and a circular umbrella cover 300 supported by the umbrella frame 200. The umbrella frame 200 further comprises a central straight shaft 210 vertically disposed at the center of the conventional umbrella to support the umbrella cover 300.

Sometimes, the umbrella should be opened and the central straight shaft 210 of the umbrella 10 should be stood on or fastened to the ground or some places as a canopy to shelter rain or sun, or for other purposes. Take the central straight shaft 210 of the conventional umbrella 10 being rigidly fastened to the ground as an example. Since the straight shaft 210 is vertically positioned at the center of the conventional umbrella 10 to support the umbrella to standing up when the umbrella is unfolded, users can only stay around the central straight shaft 210 of the conventional umbrella 100 under the circular umbrella cover 300. That means the users generally need a relatively larger umbrella cover 300 to satisfy their requirements because of the central straight shaft 210. Larger umbrella cover 300 requires a relatively higher manufacturing cost, a relatively heavier burden to the umbrella frame 200 especially the central straight shaft 210, and a higher transportation cost and more transportation space.

Sometimes, lots of people take part in group activities outside, and they need an umbrella which is fastened to the ground to protect them from rain or sun. However, the central straight shaft 210 of the conventional umbrella 10 is vertically extended at the center of the shady ground covered by the umbrella cover 300, and, therefore, the existence of the central straight shaft 210 becomes a communicating barrier to the participators. Also, the participator's action under the umbrella cover 300 is limited by the central straight shaft 210. It is a general desire for people to have an umbrella under which people can freely move and are not limited to the structure thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides an umbrella with offset shaft which can be rigidly placed on or fastened to the ground or some other places for protecting individuals from rain or sun, as a canopy.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide an umbrella with offset shaft, wherein when the umbrella is stood on or fastened to the ground or some other places, the offset shaft is not disposed at the center of the shading area under the umbrella cover, so that user can stay at any spot or position under the umbrella cover for fully utilizing the effective shading area of the umbrella cover.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide an umbrella with offset shaft, wherein when the umbrella is unfolded and fastened to the ground, the effective shading area of the umbrella cover can be relatively increased and effectively utilized.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide an umbrella with offset shaft to minimize the space occupation by the support shaft and maximize the effective shading area thereof so that, for the same effective shading area, a smaller size of the umbrella can be used, in comparison with the conventional umbrella with center straight shaft.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide an umbrella with offset shaft, which comprises a C-shaped runner and a soft elongated element, such as a rope, iron wire, for facilitating the opening or closing of the umbrella of the present invention.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims.

Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides an umbrella which comprises:

an umbrella cover; and

an umbrella frame supported the umbrella cover to form an umbrella body, wherein the umbrella frame further comprises a radiated cover frame mounted under the umbrella cover for supporting the umbrella cover thereof, and an offset shaft having one end portion coupled to the center of the radiated cover frame to support the umbrella.

In one embodiment, the umbrella cover frame further comprises a C-shaped runner and a plurality of stretchers, wherein the offset shaft comprises a first rigid rod, a second rigid rod, and a third rigid rod, wherein the first, second and the third rigid rods are connected together one after another to form the offset shaft.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional umbrella .

FIG. 2 is a side view of an umbrella with offset shaft when it is opened according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view of the umbrella with offset shaft according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the C-shaped runner and other components showing how the umbrella with offset shaft is opened and closed according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view of the offset shaft showing a second rigid rod of the offset shaft being rotated around a third rigid rod of the offset shaft in accordance with user's requirements according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic view of the offset shaft illustrating the offset and straight conditions thereof according to user's requirements in accordance with the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional perspective view of the umbrella with offset shaft in closed up condition according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the umbrella with offset shaft according to an alternative mode of the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 7 of the drawings, an umbrella with offset shaft according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the umbrella comprises an umbrella frame 1 and an umbrella cover 2 supported by the umbrella frame 1 to form an umbrella body 3. The umbrella cover 2 can be made of waterproof fabric, plastic material, or anti-ultraviolet material.

The umbrella cover 2 can be manufactured integrally in one piece or comprises a plurality of gores 20 sewing edge to edge to form a cover. The umbrella frame 1 comprises a radiated cover frame 11 and an offset shaft 12, wherein the radiated cover frame 11 is mounted under the umbrella cover 2 for supporting it, and the offset shaft 12 has an upper end portion coupled at a center portion of the radiated cover frame 11 to support the whole radiated cover frame 11 and the umbrella cover 2 when the umbrella is opened.

The radiated cover frame 11 comprises a plurality of ribs 111 each having two ends, wherein one end of the respective rib 111 is joined at the upper portion 120 of the offset shaft 12, and the other end of the respective rib 111 is extended outwardly and downwardly to form a tip 110 for supporting the umbrella cover 2 by fastening the umbrella cover 2 thereof on the ribs 111 respectively.

The radiated cover frame 11 further comprises a runner 112 and a plurality of stretchers 113 each having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each of the stretchers 113 is pivotally jointed at the runner 112 and around the runner 112, and the second end of each of the stretchers 113 is pivotally fastened to the middle of the ribs 111 respectively. The runner 112 slides along some portion of the offset shaft 12 to fully stretch out to unfold to open or fold up to close the umbrella with offset shaft.

The offset shaft 12 comprises a first rigid rod 121, a second rigid rod 122, and a third rigid rod 123, wherein the first rigid rod 121 forms the upper portion of the offset shaft 12, the second rigid rod 12 forms the middle portion of the offset shaft 12, and the third rigid rod 123 forms the lower portion of the offset shaft 12. The three rigid rods 121, 122, 123 are connected together one after another and there is an angle θ between the two adjacent rigid rods to form the offset shaft 12, wherein the angle θ is adjustable, preferably 90°. The first rigid rod 121, the second rigid rod 122, and the third rigid rod 123 are made integrally to form the offset shaft 12.

Exactly speaking, one end of the respective rib 111 is joined at the upper portion 120 of the first rigid rod 121 of the offset shaft 12, and the runner 112 is mounted on the first rigid rod 121 and is slidable along the first rigid rod 121 of the offset shaft 12 back and forth when opening or closing the umbrella.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first rigid rod 121, the second rigid rod 122, and the third rigid rod 123 are allowed to be rotated with respect to each other so as to change the shape of the offset shaft 12 according to user's requirement. In addition, the first rigid rod 121, the second rigid rod 122, and the third rigid rod 123 are adjustable to align in a line to form a straight shaft, that is, the angle θ between the two adjacent rigid rods is 180°. In other words, the angle θ between the two adjacent rigid rods is adjustable.

The runner 12 can be in C-shaped and thus the umbrella can be operated to open or to close without straightly aligned the first rigid rod 121, the second rigid rod 122 and the third rigid rod 123 first.

When the C-shaped runner 12 is used, the offset shaft 12 further comprises a soft elongated element 125, such as a rope or a wire, wherein the soft elongated element 125 is connected to the lower end of the first rigid rod 121, wherein when the umbrella frame 1 is upwardly and outwardly stretched out to open the umbrella, the user can grab the soft elongated element 125 downwardly to allow the umbrella of the present invention to be opened easily.

The C-shaped runner 112 comprises a C-shaped body 1121 and has a nick 1122, when the C-shaped runner 112 is moved to slide upwardly along the soft elongated element 125 and the first rigid rod 121 to stretch out the radiated cover frame 11 to open the umbrella of the present invention. The nick 1122 of the C-shaped runner 112 allows the C-shaped body 1121 to easily pass through the second rigid rod 122 to completely open the umbrella. Also, when the C-shaped runner 112 is moved to slide downwardly to fold up the radiated cover frame 11 to close the umbrella, the nick 1122 of the C-shaped runner 112 also allow the C-shaped body 1121 to easily pass through the second rigid rod 122 to completely close the umbrella of the present invention.

Additionally, the length of the second rigid rod 122 should be at least equal to or a little larger than a radius R of the umbrella with offset shaft when it is completely opened, so that the third rigid rod 123 which is fastened to the ground can be out of the corresponding ground of the umbrella cover 2. So users can stay at any spot or position under the umbrella cover 2 without obstructing by the offset shaft 1.

According to the preferred embodiment, the offset shaft 12 further comprises at least two connectors 124, a first connector 1241 and a second connector 1242, which connect the three rigid rods 121, 122, 123 together. The first rigid rod 121 and the second rigid rod 122 are hinged together by the first connector 1241, and the second rigid rod 122 and the third rigid rod 123 are hinged together by the second connector 1242. The first connector 1241 and the second connector 1242 allow the three rigid rods 121, 122, 123 to be rotated with respect to each other so as to change the shape of the offset shaft 12 according to user's requirement. also In other words, the first connector 1241 and the second connector 1242 enable the angle θ between the two adjacent rigid rods to be adjustable.

Referring to FIG. 8, the umbrella with offset shaft according to an alternative mode of the preferred embodiment is illustrated, wherein a base 4′ is provided to support the umbrella with the offset shaft.

The base 4′ is connected to the lower end of a third rigid rod 123′ of a offset shaft 12′ to keep the umbrella with offset shaft standing up on the ground or other places. The base 4′ can be integrally or detachedly connected to the offset shaft 12′. In other words, the umbrella with offset shaft can be placed on or rigidly fastened to the ground or other places when it is used.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

1. An umbrella, comprising: an umbrella cover; and an umbrella frame supported said umbrella cover to form an umbrella body, wherein said umbrella frame further comprises a radiated cover frame mounted under said umbrella cover for supporting said umbrella cover thereof, and an offset shaft coupled at a center of said radiated cover frame to support said umbrella with said offset shaft.
 2. The umbrella, as recited in claim 1, wherein said radiated cover frame further comprises a plurality of ribs each having two ends, wherein one of said ends of said respective rib is joined at the upper portion of said offset shaft, and the other of said ends of said respective rib is extended outwardly and downwardly to form a tip.
 3. The umbrella, as recited in claim 2, wherein said offset shaft comprises a first rigid rod, a second rigid rod, and a third rigid rod, wherein said three rigid rods are connected together subsequently one after another to form said offset shaft.
 4. The umbrella, as recited in claim 3, wherein said radiated cover frame further comprises a runner and a plurality of stretchers, wherein each of the stretchers has a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of each of said stretchers is pivotally jointed at said runner, and said second end of each of said stretchers is pivotally fastened to the middle of said respective rib.
 5. The umbrella, as recited in claim 4, wherein there is an angle θ between two adjacent said rigid rods, wherein said angle θ between said two adjacent rigid rods is adjustable.
 6. The umbrella with offset shaft, as recited in claim 5, wherein said angle θ is preferably 90°.
 7. The umbrella, as recited in claim 5, wherein said runner is mounted on said first rigid rod and is slidable along said first rigid rod of said offset shaft back and forth to open or close said umbrella with said offset shaft.
 8. The umbrella, as recited in claim 6, wherein said runner is mounted on said first rigid rod and slides along said first rigid rod of said offset shaft back and forth to open or close said umbrella with said offset shaft.
 9. The umbrella, as recited in claim 5, wherein a length of said second rigid rod should be at least equal to a radius R of said umbrella when completely opened.
 10. The umbrella, as recited in claim 6, wherein a length of said second rigid rod should be at least equal to a radius R of said umbrella when completely opened.
 11. The umbrella, as recited in claim 7, wherein a length of said second rigid rod should be at least equal to a radius R of said umbrella when completely opened.
 12. The umbrella, as recited in claim 8, wherein a length of said second rigid rod should be at least equal to a radius R of said umbrella when completely opened.
 13. The umbrella, as recited in claim 12, wherein said first rigid rod, said second rigid rod, and said third rigid rod are rotated with respect to each other so as to change a shape of said offset shaft.
 14. The umbrella, as recited in claim 9, wherein said runner comprises a C-shaped body and has a nick, wherein when said C-shaped runner is moved to slide upwardly along said first rigid rod to open said umbrella, said nick of said C-shaped runner allows said C-shaped body to pass through said second rigid rod to completely open said umbrella.
 15. The umbrella, as recited in claim 10, wherein said runner comprises a C-shaped body and has a nick, wherein when said C-shaped runner is moved to slide upwardly along said first rigid rod to open said umbrella, said nick of said C-shaped runner allows said C-shaped body to pass through said second rigid rod to completely open said umbrella.
 16. The umbrella, as recited in claim 11, wherein said runner comprises a C-shaped body and has a nick, wherein when said C-shaped runner is moved to slide upwardly along said first rigid rod to open said umbrella, said nick of said C-shaped runner allows said C-shaped body to pass through said second rigid rod to completely open said umbrella.
 17. The umbrella, as recited in claim 13, wherein said runner comprises a C-shaped body and has a nick, wherein when said C-shaped runner is moved to slide upwardly along said first rigid rod to open said umbrella, said nick of said C-shaped runner allows said C-shaped body to pass through said second rigid rod to completely open said umbrella.
 18. The umbrella, as recited in claim 14, wherein said offset shaft further comprises a soft elongated element rigidly connected to the lower end of said first rigid rod to allow said umbrella to be opened.
 19. The umbrella, as recited in claim 15, wherein said offset shaft further comprises a soft elongated element rigidly connected to the lower end of said first rigid rod to allow said umbrella to be opened.
 20. The umbrella, as recited in claim 16, wherein said offset shaft 12 further comprises a soft elongated element rigidly connected to a lower end of said first rigid rod to allow said umbrella with offset shaft to be opened easily.
 21. The umbrella, as recited in claim 17, wherein said offset shaft 12 further comprises a soft elongated element rigidly connected to a lower end of said first rigid rod to allow said umbrella with offset shaft to be opened easily. 